Inter Miami has made headlines once again by officially signing former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro. However, the club's acquisition of the Brazilian star has sparked an investigation by Major League Soccer (MLS) due to concerns surrounding the transfer process.

Casemiro, who is 34 years old, joined Inter Miami on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester United expired. The move had been speculated for weeks, and despite numerous offers from other countries, Casemiro opted for the allure of Miami and the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi.

To facilitate the transfer, Inter Miami crafted a unique contract structure to comply with MLS's strict salary cap regulations. While Casemiro was among the highest-paid players in the Premier League during his time at Manchester United, he had to accept a significant pay cut to join the MLS champions. Reports suggest that he will earn less than $1 million per year, as the club has already filled its three Designated Player slots, which allow for higher salaries.

The investigation stems from the MLS's Discovery Rights rule, which is designed to prevent clubs from competing directly for the same player. In Casemiro's case, LA Galaxy held the negotiation priority and claimed they had been in talks with him before he reached an agreement with Inter Miami. LA Galaxy alleges that Inter Miami did not have the right to negotiate directly with Casemiro before acquiring the Discovery Rights. The compensation that Inter Miami may need to pay to LA Galaxy will depend on the outcome of the MLS investigation.

This is not the first time Inter Miami has faced scrutiny regarding MLS regulations. In 2021, the club was heavily penalized for violating salary cap rules in the signings of Blaise Matuidi and Andrey Reyes. Given this history, there are growing calls, including from Messi himself, for MLS to relax its financial regulations and increase salary cap limits to attract more international stars.

Under the terms of his contract, Casemiro is set to remain with Inter Miami until the spring of 2027, aligning with MLS's transition to a European-style schedule. His contract also includes an option to extend until 2029, and he may eventually be elevated to Designated Player status as the club reconfigures its salary cap.